Rugby league icon and Seagulls legend, Lionel Morgan, has passed away aged 85.
Lionel was a pioneer of rugby league and is widely recognised as the first Indigenous player to represent Australia in any major sporting code.
Representing the Wynnum Manly Seagulls from 1959-68, Lionel also played for QLD 12 times and Australia 3 times. In 2008, Lionel was named on the wing in the Indigenous Team of the Century.
He still holds the club record for the most tries in one match – six against Souths at Davies Park in 1964. He was Wynnum Manly’s captain-coach between 1965-67.
The 4 Morgan sons, David, Brad, Earl and Chris, all spent time playing for Wynnum Manly throughout their rugby league careers.
Lionel left a significant legacy at the Seagulls, and we tried to honour him through the introduction of the Lionel Morgan Medal for our Player of the Match on North Stradbroke Island in recent years. Lionel was also the first player to appear on our Seagulls ‘walk of fame’ at our front entry gate, given his incredible contribution to the game and the inspiration he has provided to Indigenous youth.
The Seagulls express our condolences to the entire Morgan family at this time.